Authors Note: Hey guys glad to be back. Sorry for the late update I was out of the country and couldnt get internet there. But here it is updated. The stories turning into something magical isnt it?
Anonymous Stalker
New and Old
He parked nearby a 24 hour pharmacy.
As he entered the facility a rush of cool wind surrounded his body giving him chills down his clothed spine. The cashier beside the glass automatic doors noticed his arrival and greeted him casually.
"Sup'"
"Hey there," Zack exchanged the greeting as well with a still and a shimmering smile. The younger man turned the page from his magazine as he informed the male. "We changed the isles. You'll have to fine the boxes of condoms on your own."
Affronted Zack corrected the man behind the counter covered with loads of gum and candy. "For your info I'm not here for that. Where do you keep the medicines?"
The man went back to reading, "Humph, find it yourself."
Annoyed and slowly losing his patience Zack spoke to the dude once more. "Come on! I Don't have all night!"
"It's a 24 hour store, stupid. Are you lazy?"
"Me lazy?"
Zack begins to walk off in search for the medicine. "Who's the one sitting on his ass doing nothing huh?'
The younger male snorts, "At least they're paying me to do it?"
As he watched the raven man go deeper into the isles shelved with thousands of chips he remembered something.
"Advil is 20 percent off!"
"Thanks," Zack turned to the left of an isle and looked right to the one next to him. Finding the meds wasn't so hard after all. As he walked nearer to the containers he meant to purchase, he walked passed to teenagers in front of glassed shelf that was filled with condoms, lubricants, and pregnancy tests. At the time he couldn't help but listen in to their conversation.
"Damn it Angela!"
"It's not my fault you didn't wear a condom."
"Didn't you get birth control?"
"I probably forgot to take it at that time."
The much younger male cursed, he looked younger than the cashier.
Zack pitied the children. These days the young are getting more irresponsible and uncontrollable. Soon every kid will have one of their own.
I blame rappers.
He told himself and then it hit him. He turned his head in a just speed, his eyes darting not at the kids but at the glass box.
Vomiting
Nausea
No way. . .
He walked near the glass container as the children left, having to realize that they both can't afford the device. The adult man stares through the glass, scanning the various boxes of pregnancy tests, until he discovers the box which said 95.5% accurate on the label.
"My Aerith, pregnant?"
He thought of the possibilities that may be so. But of course it is possible and yet it couldn't be. He used a condom for goodness sakes. He's not like those brats. But it could break. It may be so. The man sighed cursing himself.
He looked into the glass container again.
Pregnant! God damn it! No way she isn't! She's just sick, yeah sick! I'll just buy her medicine, that's all not a pregnancy test!
He took a step near the medicines for nausea until an image caught his eye. Conveniently, under the circumstances of screwing up, diapers where placed next to the glass box. One caught his eye especially the one decorated with a smiling baby. Its cheerful face brought a sudden warmness in Zack's heart.
It's . . . possible.
He summoned the courage to inform a store employee about his discussion in purchasing the item. It was a young female blond with sad green eyes. She looked odd when Zack wanted to buy that item.
"What?" He said, being watched that oddly was creped him out?
"Are you her brother or . . . her baby daddy?"
"- - -That's none of your business."
"What ever. Just to let you know 64% percent of dads leave their children. Talk about ass holes."
Zack walks away from the annoying employee after a "What ever." Reply to her.
He makes his way to the counter top when the man just closed the magazine. The brunette places the device shyly he received an overly surprised gasp from the former employee.
"No . . . freekin'. . . way. Zack the playah has been taken down?"
Quickly Zack tries to shush him in loud hissing tones. "Shut the hell up!"
"OH! This is just too good to be true and funny! But really, I am saddened by your tragedy."
"Shut up stupid I'm married!"
The young employee smirks, "Oh really, I don't see a ring on your finger."
By now the two exchange money in order to purchase said device. The now known red headed employee places the item in a brown paper bag and gives it to Zack. While continuing the discussion,
"Humph, mind your own business, "he squints his blue eyes on the name tag embedded on the employee's chest. "Reno,"
The male leaves the store, hearing a final good bye from the red headed man.
"See yah, hope it comes out positive playah!"
He was almost to his house, making slow left turns and quickened rights.
Zack kept his eyes on the road when he noticed a familiar figure moving north on the side walk. He stopped the black Volvo next to the figure and honked slightly.
"Roxas. Get in!"
The vehicles headlights made the figures image appear with more precision. A dirty blond adolescent wearing jeans and a plaid shirt turned towards the familiar voice. He smiles and crosses the street to enter the adult's car.
"Thanks, Zack."
"Don't thank me. What are you doing out so late? You can get in big trouble."
The young boy laughs, "I think I already am. For a neighbor you sure act like my dad."
"You're still a kid, Roxas. You can get in a lot of trouble walking around at night."
Roxas just kept his eyes on the road as well as the man besides him. Until he notices a wrinkly brown paper bag laying beside his feet.
"Watcha 'got there? Condoms?"
Surprised Zack scolded the blond, "You're too young to know about that! Besides there not condoms."
Seconds passed. "Can I have one?"
"No!" Zack said annoyed.
The youngster sighs, "Hugh, Zack you'll be some dad one day."
The man wondered about that. A dad, father, baby daddy. Someone that watches over a human growing and developing. Someone who cares and loves it from the beginning of its first breath.
It soon fell into silence, Roxas grew anxious, "Hey you okay?"
Zack awoke from his thoughts, "Huh, uh, yeah."
Thankfully the two made it to the cul de sac in which the both lived on. The young blond thanked the man for taking him home and that he looked forward to Aeriths party on the weekend. As he walked on to his pavement, Zack watched the boy walk home. He grew worried for the child, as far as he knows he's only 14. It makes him feel mortified that the boy could have a sex life. To him he's like a nephew.
He climbs the bricked stairs towards the wooden door. His hand grasps the dangling keys from his pocket and inserts a specific on into door knob. The cobs rotate to bring the door accessible from the outside.
He enters his two story house with clicks on his heels. Turning on the lights from the first floor he makes his way up stairs to the second floor.
The door opened slowly as to not make any noise as possible. Alas the maiden awakes from her slumber and was greeted by her beloved. He sits on the mattress next to her, taking her hand in his.
"How are you feeling?" He asks while touching her forehead.
"Hmm, better." She smiles.
She watches him sigh, concerning her; she sits up with worried eyes. "What's wrong?" She asks.
"Aerith. Don't you feel different?"
"Different?"
"Yeah, like unusual?"
"Well, I am getting tired a lot," She smiles and tries her body on the lap of her husband. The side of her face touches his chest, with one more breath, Aerith looks upon her romancer's eyes. She smiles, "Zack . . . I think I may be pregnant."
His arms coil her supple body holding her tightly. "I had a feeling." He says.
He looks into her eyes; they shimmer with the light that embedded the room.
"Here I bought a test."
She takes it in her hands, and questions him,"Will you . . . be happy?"
"Hmm?"
"If it comes out positive?"
Zack smiles sincerely, "Of course," However that did not seem enough for Aerith, instead she takes the bag quietly and ushers herself in the bathroom.
Zack waits and waits. He held his head over his left hand. He watches the white door, under it a crease of light quivered by Aeriths steps around the small room. He sighs.
"Don't you think it's time?" Aeriths muffled voice vibrated through the door.
"What . . . do you mean?"
". . . Don't you think we should be parents by now?"
He wonders about that. Why not? A nice house, money in the bank, a career, an affectionate woman and a cheerful father. Including the subject term of age makes a definite reason. But . . .
The white door opens and Aerith steps out with crossed arms and the test in hand. Zack quickly gets on his feet.
"Well?"
"We have to wait a minute," she teased.
"Oh." Zack just stands there. The young woman hugs him dearly, she talks to him sweetly. "Hey, are you scared?"
Zack sighs, "Yeah,"
Aerith laughs gently, "Me too."
"But, we'll make it. We're basically prepared."
"I know."
"Do you . . . want to have one?"
She smiles showing her bright white teeth, "Yeah,"
Zack smiles, not baring any teeth, "Huh, you know? Maybe I want one too . . ."
The device beeps a tone, informing that the moment of time has passed. They both gaze at it, at the same time a straight line appears and disappears frequently. Then it beeps again, presenting the results.
Positive.
Aerith gasps, "I'm pregnant!" She said in a quiet but cheery tone. Taken aback Zack takes a few steps backwards, and then the corners of his mouth crease into a smile.
"We're having a baby." He said voice neutral.
"Yes, yes we are," The woman breaks into tears.
Swiftly the expecting father takes his wife in his arms and with more incentive and happiness he speaks. "I'm going to be a dad!"
The soon to be mom laughs as she hugs him back. They embraced each other with sheer joy and happiness.
He woke up his head pounded but the smell in the air tempted him to open his eyes.
Before him was a familiar young woman in a rather small kitchen. She hummed softly as she cooked, oblivious that the older male has wakened from his profound slumber. She continued in doing so whilst Cloud looked around the area he was in.
It seemed to be a small apartment, too small in fact that the furniture was to be placed so tightly adjacent to each other. Furthermore the kitchen was very close by separated from the living area with a half wall. Two small doors where placed beside the kitchen, either of which Cloud could not comprehend what they conceal.
He felt uncomfortable and tries to adjust himself he soon finds himself on a bean bag chair with flowers on it. His motion caused the beads in the bag to ruffle, getting the young ladies attention.
"You're awake!" She stated.
"Y-Yeah . . .Tifa?"
The girl nodded, "Even when you're drunk you remember my name."
Cloud smirked, "How can I forget you?"
Tifa ignored the crude remark and walked towards him with plate in hand. She places the red plate on a chairs arms rest that was conveniently closest to Cloud.
"How're you feeling, " She asked looking at him with a kind smile.
Cloud groaned holding his head, "Ugh. . . Fuck . . . not too bad. . ."
Tifa made no statement of that, "Here eat," She pushed the plate with toast and egg on it.
Cloud just nodded, leaving Tifa feeling rejected. She turned slightly away from him 'till, "Milk?"
Unsure of what he said Tifa gave a questionable look, "Well do you have some or not?" His dark blue eyes gazed at the woman before him, not moving a centimeter from her.
"What . . .?" She caught up with his frivolous advancement and crossed her arms before her endowments. "You're sick!" She received a hardy laugh from the male sitting below her. "Shut up, that's not even funny!" She exclaimed.
Swiftly the older male assaults the brunette's thighs with both his hands. She was wearing a pair of black tights, but even so she felt the heat from Clouds palms. He began to rub her skin upwards, until making it up to her hips did he latch onto her with his fingers.
"What are you doing!?"
Tifa took hold of his prying hands with her own trying to pull them away from her. Yet his fingers dug deeper in her flesh, grabbing a wisp of her butt. She gave out a timid squeal, as she takes minor steps back.
"Come on baby," he calls to her as she pulls him out of the bean bag chair, "Come on . . . let's fuck."
"You're fucking crazy!" With her right hand she swats Cloud away from her, leaving a stinging red mark across his cheek. Cloud winced in pain cursing her until she panicked and went running straight to a door next to the kitchen. She stood behind it, fingers locked the door and thus she was safe and secure in her small bedroom.
"What's with him? Is he the violent drunk type?" She whispered to herself. Loud beats disrupted the door, rattling it through its hinges.
"Stop it!" Tifa told him scared out of her mind. She continued to stop his shenanigans with her voice; with every effort her voice begins to crack and tears streamed down her face.
"Tifa! Get out! Come on!" she held her hands over both her ears. The man on the other side begins to jiggle the handle prying the door to open."I promise it won't hurt! Come on! I'm fucking horny right now! Shit!"
She had enough, "I got my cell phone! Stop it or I'll call the cops!"
He ceased his tantrum. The door stopped rattling and the handle was no longer moved. Tifa sat on her bed, watching as the figures shadow behind the door disappears.
It was night time and with both hands filled with a presence of a bat she cautiously steps out of her room.
The lights in her apartment were off; the whole room was filled with darkness. Yet, she was ready, if she feels that he's coming any closer she'd swing without mercy. Her feet step on the cold tiled floor, then making a transition to the carpet of her small living space. A lamp was placed somewhere near; her hands blindly search for the switch that would bring her light. Extending the slim hand outward, Tifa finds herself touching something queer. It felt like hair.
The sound of a runny nose startles her, engaging with the reflexes in her Tifa raises the bat and brings it down to the over stayed visitor. The wooden sport utility impacts the males left knee, the pain shot up to his brain realizing the outcome. He screams and so did Tifa out of fright. She squirms restlessly for the switch that's barely been found and gives light to the room.
Bat in hand she raises it over her head to give the drunken man a good swing and . . .
STOP!
The bat was centimeters away from inflicting pain to the offender.
But she couldn't bear to strike a man with hands over his face suffocating himself with tears.
"Mr. Strife . . .?"
Cloud sniffled and shuddered, his voice hitched in an unlikeable manner. He would not look at her nor would he praise her appearance. He just sat on the bean bag chair with legs over his chest and face covered.
"Mr. Strife?"
". . . Leave me alone," He told her, voice muffled.
". . . Cloud . . ."
She extends her hand to his shoulder. He furiously shuns away from her touch, "I said leave me alone!"
". . . But . . . Cloud . . . You need help . . . You're sick." She tries to touch his shoulder once more, when he swats her away from him with his arm. He steps on his feet in a sped like manner, his height defeats her own. Body swaying right and left, "I said leave me alone damn it! I don't care anymore! I just . . .!"
He covers his face with his own two fists.
Weak in the knees and heart Cloud falls forward onto Tifa's milky arms. She takes hold of him as much as she could; they slowly descend onto the carpeted floor. The woman's body sits with her legs bent weighed down by the weeping man's head.
She'd let time pass until the man stopped suppurating.
Eventually he fell asleep on the woman.
He exposes himself to her, letting his hands slide down to the ground. Revealing tear stained cheeks and dark bags of flesh under his eyes
Tifa removes a strand of hair from his face. He was quiet peaceful, the most she'd ever seen .
Cloud . . . what's wrong with you? Why are you like this?
It was hot, he wanted to go home. He wants to go home!
His uniformed knees touch the sandy ground. Sand and cracks reflect upon the drought this country has suffered.
Hands held up high, face shocked with horror. His eyes stare out at the lifeless ground, he could feel beads of sweat drench his eyebrows, the irritating pressure to wipe it away was held in. He wouldn't dare to move not at the mercy of the enemy.
The mouth of a short range pistol was just inches away from his face. The enemy blurred out words from a dialect known to the land and its people, but not him. He yelled at him, when finished a colleague of the enemy spoke. This time he translated the past words in English, that way even the prisoner could understand.
He translated with a thick accent but it was enough for the kneeling man to comprehend,
"We understand there are more of you spies,"
His eyes wander to his right, strings of his blond hair wasn't enough to cover the image of two comrades at the same predicament as him. Their hands held high, knees bent to the ground, pistols inches away from the back of their heads.
One of them spoke out of turn. "Don't say anything Lieutenant Strife!" The male comrade winced with the pain of metal and bone rippling on his head. The inflictor laughed, they laughed at how the comrade fell over with blood flowing from the fresh wound.
"Barret!" The young leader looked up from his hanged motion. He called for his comrade once more; he could hear the broader male speak in a hush tone.
"Don't . . . tell . . ."
Lieutenant Strife heard the pistol before him replenish it ammo. The enemy said one more verse that the lieutenant understood without translation. His dark blue eyes stared at the man before him he shakes his head slowly left and right.
Angered, the enemy holding the pistol before the lieutenant shouts out a word to the men behind his own comrades. Instinctively, Cloud understood.
"No!" The blond shouts seconds before the pistols where fired onto the soldiers he was meant to take care of. Blood pooled around their bodies as it fled from the wound in their heads.
Cloud yelled and cursed. His insanity of fear and remorse was brought to a standstill as the enemy strikes the sorrowful male down with the butt of is pistol.
The others came forward to the scrapple taking place there. As the translator yelled and taunted the survivor with questions, one kicked Cloud on the ribs while the others moved about in spitting on him.
Clouds heart swells with bitter sadness and fear. His friends they died, they were captured as prisoners of war and died as prisoners. He was next, he was to die next. Tears swelled in his eyes, his face covered by the dirt, hands placed over his head. Torture never seemed to end for this man, until he hears the enemy exchange a conversation that was still unclear to him. One of the men over the blond's body took a pistol in his hand, reloading it with one bullet. Cloud hears the weapon click signaling it's ready to fire. The lieutenant stiffened his body, waiting for the piercing pain from the bullet.
A shot was heard, it was loud, louder than the screams of the enemy. Cloud tensed as he waited for the pain, but it never came. And the screams, they were from the men who shot down his comrades, they sounded panicked. Other sounds where played in the dry air, the sounds of multiple fires.
They ceased the streaming of bullets across the air finally stopped. Cloud, while lying on his stomach looks about. He finds an enemy with his face blown up from a rushing bullet. He thought nothing much of it.
He looked to where his fallen comrades where. Uniform soaked with blood, their faces covered by the floor. His eyebrows furrowed he wanted to cry, but the sound of boots made him tense. Expecting the enemy he was willing to fight them to his death.
As he stands up and turns his attention to the approaching stranger he soon realizes that the individual was not the enemy.
"Hey you're okay?" The stranger spoke to him softly. Cloud didn't say a word.
The soldier who has just rescued him was taller than he was. Brunette, with a much brighter pair blue eyes. He wore an identical uniform, only the inscription on his helmet suggested that he was at a much higher rank.
Since Cloud didn't say a word, the stranger greeted himself.
"Commander Fair at your service." He takes the muted blond by his arm hoisting him away from the bloody scene.
"Let's go, their reinforcements are coming!"
Cloud follows, yet his mind still falls under the heavy burden of his dead friends. Saddness eats him alive.
Authors Note: Well what'ya think? Pretty interesting isnt it? See yall in the next chapter.
